What is a cure?

For those people with Parkinson’s, the word ‘cure’ is an emotive one and is interpreted in many ways. Ultimately a cure or cures will be realised by reversing the progressive nature of the condition.  The primary goal is to make a positive impact on those living with Parkinson’s so that a person’s expectations for the recovery of their own quality of life is realised. Cure or cures can involve any or all of the following key milestones:

Slowing symptom degeneration

• Alleviation of symptoms and side effects
• Stopping the disease process
• Regeneration, repair, regression of the disease
• Isolation and treatment of causes including genetic prediction
• Prevention
• Total eradication of Parkinson’s disease and Parkinsonism

The key to achieving any of the above is through innovation and through responding to the real-life needs of people with Parkinson’s.  Once novel treatments have been identified, it is critical that they are nurtured through the development process and delivered quickly but safely into the clinic.